Stewart Milne Timber Systems, the UK’s leading provider of timber frame building solutions, has completed work on phase two of its AIMC4 project, which will see the company build eight low carbon, low energy detached homes across three sites in the UK.

The ground-breaking £6.4m AIMC4 project, devised by a consortium of industry leading developers and experts, was created to research and deliver Code for Sustainable Homes Level 4 homes through a fabric-first approach.

For the latest phase of the project, the company supplied and erected its award-winning Sigma II Build System to build a group of detached homes at Stewart Milne Homes’ Athena Grange development in Prestonpans, East Lothian.

By using the high specification closed panel Sigma II Build System, the construction process benefits from the offsite construction of all wall panels, pre-fitted with external doors and windows, and pre-insulated floor and ceiling cassettes. This precision build makes the properties weather-tight while achieving initial air-tightness of below 3 and 4m3/hr/m2 @ 50Pa for each plot. The energy performance of the building is achieved primarily through the external envelope without reliance on additional micro-renewable technologies. The result is affordable, consumer friendly and energy efficient homes, which can be easily and quickly erected.

Commenting on the project, Alex Goodfellow, Group Managing Director - Timber Systems said: “The AIMC4 consortium is breaking new ground in its approach to sustainable building and we are very excited to be leading the project. The country has ambitious targets for a zero carbon future and we were keen to ensure we can meet the carbon agenda as well as build homes that consumers want to live in. The AIMC4 project will help to create a gradual change, creating sustainable homes that remain desirable and affordable.”

Speaking about the Sigma II Build System used for the project, Goodfellow adds: “We understand the challenges of meeting performance standards in a climate where finances are restricted. Our new Sigma II Build System meets both of these objectives, and we’re already seeing a demand for it across both private and affordable sectors.”

As well as Prestonpans, Stewart Milne Timber Systems has already supplied and erected AIMC4 homes at its flagship development in Portlethen, Aberdeenshire, and is working in partnership with a social housing partner in Lancashire to build further AIMC4 homes in Preston.